Shhhhh, (whispers quietly) parsnip question

[Sanjo]

I did look - honest - but I think my question was too complicated for the search thingy.
Last year myself and little grandaughter sowed (and growed!) some parsnips which we started off in the toilet rolls.
As first timers with nips I didn't realise that the bottom would be out of the roll before the top showed. We planted them anyway and were reasonably successful although some forked.
OK so we know that for this year BUT given that I only have a little bit of space for them if I snip off the long growing bit once they start growing from the bottom of the tube, will it give me a shorter stumpier parsnip or does it make them completely useless. They were gladiator.
I have bought a shorter version but I was just wondering (knowing what a very knowledgeable lot you are) whether anyone had tried it or knew that it would definitely NOT work.
Thanks in advance and apologies for the "P" word this early.

[piskieinboots]

All Hail the Mighty Parsnip

[Bigmallly]

I'm confused as to why having limited space should want you to cut them off at the tips. I wouldn't cut them & if you are trying to stop them forking, use kitchen rolls instead of loo rolls with well sieved compost or sand. I have heard sand is good for growing nips & carrots.

[piskieinboots]

I grow (usually, good) parsnips by ramming a large pole into the ground a fair way, then back-filling with really good sieved compost and sowing three seeds to the hole.

I wouldn't go snipping at any ends though

[Nicos]

I would imagine it'd have to throw off new roots so you'd be encouraging it to fork

[Hazel at the Hill]

If you cut of the ends, they will deffo fork, so you don't want to be doing that!

I had the same prob with forky parsnips last year, and I too sowed them in loo roll inners, so I am using kitchen roll inners instead, as BL suggests, this time round.

[northepaul]

Slightly off topic, kitchen roll inners - what about sowing salsify, and the other one in these?
How much depth do parsnips need? I would have a depth of 11"..?

[Lazgaot]

You basically want smaller roots? Are you growing them in pots or outdoors in the soil? Plant them closer and harvest them earlier? From my 1yrs experience all the ones I pre germinated and planted out either forked or were very bulbous with 4-5 roots coming off that bulb. The others I sowed directly (and later in the season) came up fine. Some were massive where the root had more space and where the seeds poured out of my hand they were smaller.

[Glutton4...]

I grew in loo-roll tubes and they grew well, apart from the fact I forgot my Dad had put membrane under his raised beds (Aaaarrrrggghh!) so they grew down to the membrane then along it at right angles; Yes, 'L' shaped Parsnips! Very tasty though . I shall be growing in tubs (if I have enough tubs), or ramming holes in the clay with a metal bar and filling with compost, this year.

[WeeGarden]

Following the GYO mag's tip, I will be sowing my seeds from the Pass the parcel (thanks Hazel!) in kitchen roll tubes rather than toilet roll tubes. It's my first time this year. Wish me luck!

Unfortunately, as I only just came across the tip a few nights ago, I have a grand total of ONE kitchen roll holder.

[piskieinboots]

Unfortunately, as I only just came across the tip a few nights ago, I have a grand total of ONE kitchen roll holder.

Now there's a thought - in addition to swoping seeds, we should start a tube dash.

[binley100]

I grew in loo-roll tubes and they grew well, apart from the fact I forgot my Dad had put membrane under his raised beds (Aaaarrrrggghh!) so they grew down to the membrane then along it at right angles; Yes, 'L' shaped Parsnips! Very tasty though . I shall be growing in tubs (if I have enough tubs), or ramming holes in the clay with a metal bar and filling with compost, this year.

PMSL good job I haven't got a cup of coffee to hand.
I thought root veg didn't like freshly composted soil or does that just apply to cow or horse poo.? I read somewhere that if you open a v-shaped trench , fill it with compost and then plant into that . Just a thought may be quicker than making individual holes.

[vegnut]

Following the GYO mag's tip, I will be sowing my seeds from the Pass the parcel (thanks Hazel!) in kitchen roll tubes rather than toilet roll tubes. It's my first time this year. Wish me luck!

Unfortunately, as I only just came across the tip a few nights ago, I have a grand total of ONE kitchen roll holder.

HeHe, eat more to poo more. Hence, more loo rolls
If you get enough loo rolls, i suppose you could always stick two together and make them longer, as well as using the kitchen rolls.

[WeeGarden]

Now there's a thought - in addition to swoping seeds, we should start a tube dash.

Great idea!
I did think of constructing newspaper rolls, but think the paper will be too flimsy for such a tall thing.

[Sanjo]

Thanks everyone, it's all as I thought but worth asking.
We did make holes with a long pole but the parsnips were coming out of the bottom of the T.R so the forked ones were probably those we had to wiggle into the hole.
Probably shouldn't even be attempting it really as the area available is just over 1' wide by 9ft. Just a little bit of space we had left so thought it was worth growing something there and Hana loves roast parsnips The reason I wanted them smaller but fatter is because it was such a bl***y pain getting them out of the ground. A couple were over a foot long and I had only a little room to manouvre.
I'll stick to growing smaller ones I think, or do what Lazgaot suggests and sow them closer together to reduce the size.
Thanks again